This year, the Boorowa Gymnastics Club is celebrating an impressive 41 years of nurturing young talent in the local community. The club, which has become a Saturday morning tradition for many local families, offers a fun and supportive environment for children to develop their gymnastics skills.
Meeting once a week, every Saturday morning, the club operates two sessions one for children aged 5 to 7, and another for the older group, which currently includes kids up to Year 6. While the club has historically had members up to their teenage years, the focus now is primarily on the younger generation. Despite this, the enthusiasm and energy remain as strong as ever.
“Our enrolment is around 45 children, and we’ve been going strong since the club’s founding,” said Carolyn Harpley, the club’s head coach.
“We only meet on Saturdays because setting up the equipment takes time. But it’s worth it, as the kids love it, and we get to offer a great variety of activities.”
The club prides itself on providing a wide range of gymnastics activities, from traditional apparatus like bars, beam, vault, rings, and parallel bars, to more creative elements such as skipping, ribbon work, and rhythmic gymnastics.
The kids also enjoy frog sports acro and balance exercises, making for an engaging mix of physical challenges.
“We focus on recreational gymnastics, but we do have levels for kids to progress through,” Carolyn explained.
“This gives them a sense of achievement as they develop their skills, and we try to keep it fun while also building discipline and confidence.”
Currently, the club has four dedicated coaches, along with a number of supportive parent helpers. Together, they work hard to ensure that every child gets the attention they need to grow in their abilities.
One exciting event for the club this term is a competition in Orange at the end of the season. Around 12 children from Boorowa Gymnastics are preparing to compete, showcasing their skills in trampoline sports, acro, and other gymnastics disciplines.
For many of these kids, it will be their first time competing, making the experience both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Carolyn noted that participating in a competition can be challenging for first-timers, especially when performing in a new environment, but it also provides valuable lessons and growth.
“I took over the class after the original coach left about 18 months in,” Carolyn said.
“I had been helping out, so when the opportunity came to take over, I got my qualifications and haven’t looked back. It’s been a rewarding journey, and it’s been wonderful to see the kids improve year after year.”
The club is always open to new members. Parents interested in enrolling their children can contact the Boorowa Gymnastics Club at 6385 3375, where they can leave a message for further information.
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